A Tribe Called Quest

The Last Jedi, Kendrick Lamar, MTV Movie & TV Awards, A Tribe Called Quest – IP 71

| insidepoppodcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

In this episode we’re focusing on some of the major pop culture releases of the month!

The trailer for the latest installment of the Star Wars series- The Last Jedi– was released and Sean gives an in depth analysis of the themes of this teaser and theories on the film.

Then, there is no containing our adoration for the incomparable Kendrick Lamar and his latest album, DAMN. We review and reflect on the rap genius and share our initial reactions.

Plus, MTV revamped and expanded their Movie Awards to include television and also removed separate gender categories. We discuss whether this is a smart move to refresh a decades old awards show.

And Amita reviews last week’s Big Sell- A Tribe Called Quest’s latest video directed by Atlanta‘s Hiro Murai for the single- “Dis Generation”, and sells Sean on a recent episode of The Mindy Project.

Let us know your thoughts on all of the above on Twitter or Instagram @PopInsiders

Links:

A Tribe Called Quest: Dis Generation video

Rolling Stone track by track guide to Kendrick Lamar’s Damn.

The Walking Dead, Big Little Lies, Prince, Kendrick Lamar – IP 70

| insidepoppodcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

This week, we achieve the impossible- we discuss the finales of The Walking Dead and Big Little Lies without spoiling a thing! Our discussion focuses on the appropriate length of a season and the pros and cons of producing a series with an end in sight.

Then, Sean takes a purple moment to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Prince’s seminal album, Sign O The Times.

And the Big Sell gets super sized thanks to Kendrick Lamar’s single “The Heart Part 4” and the new music video for “Humble”.

Listen now and let us know what you thought about the finales of The Walking Dead and Big Little Lies- @popinsiders on Twitter or Instagram.

Links:
Kendrick Lamar’s “Humble” video

A Tribe Called Quests’s music video for Dis Generation

Essential Music of 2016 – IP 56

| insidepoppodcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

We’re back with another installment of our Best of the year episodes with our Essential Music of 2016 picks!

So why was this music Essential? These albums and songs acted as the soundtrack of our lives this year and brought us joy, helped us through pain, gave us life, empowered us and sometimes even made us cry. This is the music that fed our souls and we are thrilled to share it with you.

There’s no question that artists we’ve loved for years, like A Tribe Called Quest, Beyoncé, Gwen Stefani, Sia and David Bowie continued to provide music that is as relevant and vital in 2016 as it was decades earlier. But our minds were also blown (and our hearts tugged) by a younger generation of music artists — from Solange’s honest and inspiring A Seat at the Table, to Frank Ocean’s heady and heartfelt Endless and Blonde, to Blood Orange’s introspective opus, Freetown Sounds.

We also shine a light on some of the great songs of the year including works by Kendrick Lamar, Bruno Mars, Rationale, Kamasi Washington, James Blake, One Republic and Miguel.

And this list would not be complete without Sean rejoicing one more time for the Hamilton original cast album.
gallery-sia-this-is-acting-1atcq-coverbeyonce_-_lemonade_official_album_cover  blackstar_front_coversolange

 

 

 

Links:

Amita recommends reading this behind the scenes article on the making of Sia’s This is Acting album.

Here is the emotional Gwen Stefani video for Used to Love You that Amita connected with.

Sean loves this duet between legends Judy Garland and Barbra Streisand and would love to see Beyonce and Adele recreate this incredible collaboration.

Amita and Sean both believe Solange created two of the most gorgeous videos of the year: Cranes in the Sky and Don’t Touch My Hair.

Post Election Pop Culture, A Tribe Called Quest, SNL, Years of Living Dangerously, Hamilton Mixtape – IP 53

| insidepoppodcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

File this episode under “Life Goes On”. Yes brothers and sisters, we’re still coming to terms with last week’s election, so we begin this week’s show with a discussion of the pop culture we consumed over the past week as a means of escape, comfort and inspiration. We watched everything from Westworld to Moana; listened to Nina Simone and attended the Maxwell and Mary J. Blige show at MSG in an effort to soothe our hearts and minds.

atcqThen, we discuss the album that was a tiny light amidst the gloom – A Tribe Called Quest’s new release, We got it from Here… Thank You 4 Your service. We review the album, talk about Tribe’s place in the Hip Hop canon, rate favorite tracks and celebrate their triumphant performance on Saturday Night Live. We also talk about highlights from what we think will go down as one of the most important episodes in SNL history thanks to Kate McKinnon’s incredible cold open performance and Dave Chappelle’s brilliant turn as host.

hamilton-mixtape-artist-lineupWe also preview the highly anticipated Hamilton Mixtape, a collection of re-recordings of the songs from Lin-Manuel Miranda’s hit musical, Hamilton. Sean is a Hamilton obsessive (remember the House of Hyperbole?) and Amita has yet to see the musical or listen to the cast album. Listen to hear their reviews from two very different perspectives.

yearsWe’re also excited to bring you the first in our Producer to Producer series in which we interview a producer about their latest work. We launch the series with Joel Bach, co-creator of the Emmy Award-winning series, Years of Living Dangerously. The show explores the effects of climate change in the world through the eyes of high-profile celebrities. We find out how producers sent Arnold Schwarzenegger to the Middle East, Gisele Bundchen to the Amazon and also learn what YOU can do to join the battle to save our planet.

And we cap the show off with The Big Sell. Find out what Amita thinks of Sean’s Valerie June Big Sell. And discover the new music video Amita has to share with Sean.

LINKS

  • Actor Riz Ahmed ( The Night Of, Rogue One) appears on the Hamilton Mixtape as Riz MC. Here is a clip that features his flow with none other than Childish Gambino! Check out this dynamic duet right HERE!
  • Post election, Sean traveled back to the early 90’s. A time where a Clinton won the presidency! Enjoy this clip of Michael Stipe and Natalie Merchant performing To Sir, With Love to celebrate a new era.
  • Kate McKinnon’s stunning performance on SNL as Hillary Clinton singing “Hallelujah.”
  • Head to the Years of Living Dangerously Action page to get more information on how you can contribute to the climate change movement.